Malaysia's low-cost carrier, AirAsia X, began operating flights between Kuala Lumpur and Hangzhou in east China, Malaysian media reported on Feb. 5.

The first flight left Kuala Lumpur International Airport's low-cost carrier terminal on Feb. 4, The Star reported.

Hangzhou, the capital of east China's Zhejiang province, is located about two hours from Shanghai by bus.

AirAsia X chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani joined the passengers on the first flight.

AirAsia X is offering passengers as low as 199 ringgit (US$60.3) for a one-way travel between Kuala Lumpur and Hangzhou, the New Straits Times reported.

The airline has already sold 10,000 seats, valued at over 5 million ringgit for travel in February and March, under its 99 ringgit airfare promotion that was announced on Jan. 15.

The overwhelming response to its five times weekly Hangzou route is in synch with the success of its maiden international flight to Gold Cost, Australia, where 60,000 seats have been sold in the past couple of months since the launch of the service on Nov. 2 last year.